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Ranking 2013 NBA playoff teams' go-to clutch stars

1. Who do you want with the ball at the end of a close game? Like all questions in the NBA, the answer is LeBron James. He led the NBA in game-winning shots this season. USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph ranks every NBA playoff team's crunch-time go-to players.

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Ranking 2013 NBA playoff teams' go-to clutch stars

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1. Who do you want with the ball at the end of a close game? Like all questions in the NBA, the answer is LeBron James. He led the NBA in game-winning shots this season. USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph ranks every NBA playoff team's crunch-time go-to players.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

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2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant didn't win the scoring title this season, but his ability to hit any shot is unmatched. And he showed his clutch instinct last season during the playoffs with huge fourth quarter after huge fourth quarter.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

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3. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers: Paul leads the NBA in points per game in the final 30 seconds of close games, and he shoots 52.9% from the field in those cases. Moreover, he is the best passer in the NBA, so he doesn't need to only look for his shot.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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4. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: Pierce is a champion in every sense, and he plays with unmatched fire. He doesn't shy away from big moments and has carried his team down the stretch.
Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

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5. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks: Anthony has played so well lately that he may be four spots too low on this list. He has every shot in the book and the confidence required to make them. The knock is, he won't pass no matter the defense.
Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

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6. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs: Parker is one of the worst three-point shooters on this list, but his midrange shooting and dribble drive ability allow him to always find space for a shot. And the three-time champion has ice water in his veins.
Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports

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7. James Harden, Houston Rockets: Harden takes over this role for the first time in the playoffs, but he made plenty of clutch shots for the Thunder in years past.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

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8. Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets: Williams struggled with his shot at all times earlier in the season, but he's returned to form lately. He is a fiery competitor who doesn't back down from the spotlight. And he has the experience and skill required for tense playoff games.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

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9. Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks: Ellis may be the most fearless shooter in the NBA, at times to a fault, and he has taken the role of final-possession scorer away from Brandon Jennings for good reason.
Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

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10. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: Curry is the best shooter in the NBA. This may be his first playoff action, but you can't take that away from him.
Kelley L. Cox, USA TODAY Sports

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11. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets: Lawson is not the prototypical go-to guy because he is a true point guard, but like Paul, he has risen to the occasion when his team needs it. Still, he is substituting in this role for injured forward Danilo Gallinari.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

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12. George Hill, Indiana Pacers: Hill would be a few spots higher on this list if he were healthy, but the point guard may be passing up big shots for now because of injuries. He showed great toughness in key playoff games of the past with the Spurs and Pacers.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

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13. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers: Gasol is the only big man on this list, and he is substituting for Kobe Bryant. But he is a good enough shooter and player to hit the big shots.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

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14. Marco Belinelli, Chicago Bulls: Belinelli holds this role because the Bulls' offense is not good without Derrick Rose. But he has made several huge shots this season. Luol Deng, Nate Robinson and Carlos Boozer also may get the big opportunities.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports

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15. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks: Smith may be the worst shooter on this list, but he also is athletic, talented and determined and has shown some strides with the ball in his hands late in close games this season.
Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports

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16. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies: Conley may have inherited the biggest burden from the trade of Rudy Gay, as he now is saddled with clutch-shot duty. He has struggled in that capacity all season, but Memphis has so few players able to create their own shots.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports

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1. Who do you want with the ball at the end of a close game? Like all questions in the NBA, the answer is LeBron James. He led the NBA in game-winning shots this season. USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph ranks every NBA playoff team's crunch-time go-to players.